This strange lawn disease has been known to destroy American gardens – however the warming climate means it is making more frequent appearances in British homes
If you’re noticing strange faded patches appearing on your grass, the problem may be something far more serious than dryness. You could be dealing with a lawn disease known as ‘dollar spot’.
As the name suggests, it’s a grass disease that typically affects American gardens. However, due to changing climate conditions, it’s increasingly becoming a UK phenomenon. The most major sign is circular patches of brownish or bleached grass. When dew is present, you may also see a white, cobweb-like fungus. This can help confirm that you’re dealing with the dreaded disease. But what causes it?
The dollar spot is caused by the fungus sclerotinia homoeocarpa – a naturally occurring turf fungi. When climate conditions are right, it can spread, causing discoloured spots to appear on affected grass blades.
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Dollar spot thrives best in warm, humid conditions. Typically, it survives best in temperatures ranging between 15 to 30 degrees celsius.
This means that the UK’s increasingly warmer summers provide a perfect climate for it to proliferate. The UK has seen the warmest start to May on record in 2025, according to the Met Office.
Other factors that affect how quickly the disease spreads include grass length. Frustratingly, it is common on closely mown and well-maintained grass.
This is because the fungus spreads easily when the grass is cut, watered and walked on. All of these activities help scatter its spores, allowing it to latch onto new territory.
It’s also why it’s a major issue for golf courses and bowling greens. These spaces tend to be rigorously maintained and usually feature very short grass, making them prime spots for the fungus.
In many cases, the disease won’t do much other than ruin the look of your lawn. But if left untreated, it can infect up to the roots of the plants, killing your lawn.
Fortunately, there are ways that you can prevent this fungus from taking hold. One great tip is to raise the level of your lawn mower so that you’re not cutting the grass as short.
Aerating your lawn and removing thatch is also recommended. You can do this by spiking your soil with a garden rake, which improves air circulation and allows it to dry off faster.
If your lawn’s nitrogen levels are low, regular fertilising may also be helpful. This is because nitrogen helps with grass growth and strength, making it better able to fight off disease.